WEDNESDAY WORDS

FROM METRO MINISTRIES, INC.

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March 3, 2021

Metro Lenten Moment

This week's Metro Lenten Moment is brought to you by Metro's Treasurer and Finance Chair, Deanne Heidrich. Deanne shares about Fletcher Place Community Center and one of their programs that is near and and dear to her heart. Click to view today's Metro Lenten Moment. As you watch, I invite you to think about harvesting and sharing the abundance.

Watch for next week's devotion and sharing about another 2020 Metro Grant Recipient. We will continue to include a short video each week through the end of April.

Getting Back to Lent Campaign

We are excited to share that we are over half-way to our goal of raising $4,000 by the end of April!

If you have not already done so, I invite you to consider a Lenten gift to Metro Ministries.

We are hoping to raise at least $4,000 towards our 2021 Grants program by asking folks to set aside at least $1/day during this season of Lent and make that a donation to Metro Ministries. You can click on the image below to make a donation now, or you may mail a check to Metro's office at 2560 Villa Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46203.  Thank you for your continued support of Metro's work!

IYI'S Advancing Equity Summit March 18

Supporting equitable opportunities for all youth and children is at the core of Indiana Youth Institute's mission. In support of their mission, IYI is hosting the Advancing Equity Summit on Thursday, March 18.from 9:00  am - 4:00 pm. The summit is designed for Indiana youth-serving professionals and will offer a selection of workshops on topics such as immigration, racial justice, juvenile justice, the digital divide and more. 

Click HERE for event details and to register.

Scholarships covering the full registration cost will be provided to all Indiana youth-serving professionals. Business and church leaders are also invited to participate in the keynote and other portions, with a $25 processing fee. Youth-serving professionals who work outside the state of Indiana may also join in the learning opportunity with a $25 processing fee.

Application Window for Ministry With the Poor Grants Opens March 1

The Mission and Justice Ministries Team is making Ministry With the Poor Matching Grants available for Indiana Conference churches. The 2021 application window is March 1 - April 30, 2021. 

For criteria and more details visit THIS PAGE on INUMC's website.

World Day of Prayer March 5, 2021

Friday, March 5 is World Prayer Day this year. World Day of Prayer is an international ecumenical Christian laywomen's initiative that is celebrated annually in over 170 countries on the first Friday. The Christian Women United organization is inviting all that are able to join one of two virtual sessions this March 5. 

You can join the 2:00pm Zoom meeting by clicking https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87864707538?pwd=MERKMlhlRzBkdFloaTlVOWluQThpQT09

or the 7:00pm Zoom meeting by clicking https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81815440678?pwd=TEFDK1huR0N4Umlkdi9kWDc0cnZjZz09. The links will take you to the Zoom session at the scheduled time.

Volunteer Needs with Society of St. Andrew

Society of St. Andrew Indiana has been organizing many of the USDA Farm to Family Food Boxes distributions throughout the state. They are currently seeking volunteers to help continue distributing these boxes in Marion County. Volunteers are needed Thursday mornings, 8:00 - 10:00 am.

To sign up for this volunteer opportunity, go to Society of St. Andrew's calendar.

There is also a GREAT NEED for a volunteer forklift driver to help load pallets in Beech Grove. If you are a certified forklift driver and are available to help on Thursday mornings, please call Ann Radtke at 317-607-0004.

The distribution will be drive-thru only with face masks and social distancing required. 

Other Central District News and Events

Lay Leader Training

The 2021 Central and West District Lay Leader Training will be held via ZOOM and presented by the District Lay Leaders. This training session is for those who serve as local church lay leaders (the Book of Discipline position). An effective lay leader functions as the primary representative and role model of Christian discipleship and faith lived out in the church and in daily life. The lay leader works with the pastor to fulfill the mission and vision of the congregation.
Saturday, March 6    
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET
ZOOM Link here or dial by your location, 888 788 0099 US Toll-free, Meeting ID: 937 710 6582

Central District Conference

Please mark your calendars for the Central District Conference. It will be held on ZOOM Saturday, March 13 at 10:00 AM ET. Click here for more information about District Conference. 

Children and Youth resources shared in prior weeks:

• Playing in Uncertainty
• Indiana Summit on Out of School Learning
• Indiana Youth Institute's 2021 Indiana KIDS COUNT Data book
• 40 Developmental Assets
• 50 Ways to Engage Local Schools
• Helping Kids and Families Cope with the Stress of COVID-19
• Directory of Services for Children and Families
• Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences
• ACEs Primer Video
• "What do I do?" Trauma-Informed Support for Children
• Building Developmental Relationships During the COVID-19 Crisis

Please let us know if you have resources to share!

These Food Resources will continue to be shared weekly here and will also soon be available on Metro's website. Please note the information on these linked pages is subject to change frequently. For the most current information, use the links rather than printed documents.

For Food Pantries and Community Meal information in Marion, Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Johnson, Morgan and Shelby counties, click HERE.

Note: Mt. Olive United Methodist Church in Morgan County March pantry dates are March 3, 15 and 26, from 2-6 p.m.